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Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC confirmed for I-League 2016-17

Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC confirmed for I-League 2016-17

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Bid Evaluation Committee met at the AIFF HQ in New Delhi today (December 11, 2016) to evaluate the five bids submitted after the retendering was initiated on November 25, 2016.

The five clubs, namely Neroca FC, Minerva Punjab FC, Sudeva FC, FC Bardez Goa and Chennai City FC, submitted their bids and based on the evaluation of their proposals, the AIFF Bid Evaluation Committee decided to award Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC the right to field their teams in the 2016-17 I-League season which is slated to commence on January 7, 2017.

“I, on the behalf of AIFF, welcome Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC to the I-League family and we all hope that we will have a competitive I-League”, Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation, stated to www.the-aiff.com.

Meanwhile, Minerva Punjab FC have already plied their trade in the Second Division League 2015-16 having secured the second position.

Das added more, “With Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC joining the fray now, we have ten teams competing in the next I-League. Now, we have representatives from Chennai and Punjab, which means we’ll reach out to more supporters and newer markets.”

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar also sounded ‘happy’ with these clubs’ inclusion.

“Yes, of course, I’m happy. New teams from two new venues will add a newer dimension to I-League and they will get a chance to rub shoulders with the top clubs of Indian football”, Dhar commented.

(AIFF Report)